Starlites Naxxar BC to face Anorthosis Famagusta in FIBA Euro Cup qualifiers

Starlites Naxxar BC were drawn to face Cypriot sideAnorthosis Famagusta as the draw of qualifying round of the FIBA Europe Cup were held on Friday in Munich.

For the Malta basketball men’s champions this will be their first taste of playing in a European competition and end a 32-year-wait since a Maltese club have taken part in a continental club competition.

The Regular Season will feature 40 teams split into 10 groups of four with 15 teams receiving direct berths, a further 14 clubs competing in the Qualifiers for seven guaranteed places and up to 18 teams arriving from the Basketball Champions League Qualification Rounds.

There are in total 19 clubs that have opted in from the BCL Qualifiers, of which a maximum of 18 will take part in the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season.

Although it’s going to be a tough challenge for Starlites in the qualifying round of the competition, however, the draw could have been much harder as the Naxxar side managed to avoid some top teams in European basketball such as Spanish giants Bilbao, Alba Fehervar, of Hungary, and JDA Bourgogne Dijon, of France.

Anorthosis have been playing in the Cypriot top-flight since 2021 and qualified for the league play-offs ever since. Last season they reached the Cypriot Cup final and placed third in the league.

Last season, they competed in the Euro Cup qualifying round where they faced Kormend, of Hungary, as well as Bney Herzilya, of Israel.

The two-legged tie will be played on September 24 at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, with the return leg pencilled for September 27 in Famagusta.

In a statement, club president Dr Ivan Riolo said that Starlites were looking forward to the experience.

 “We are looking forward to face Anorthosis Famagusta next September for our Qualifying Game,” he said.

“The club has received significant support and interest locally following its announcement on Tuesday. This is a not just a first for the club, but something Maltese Basketball clubs should keep looking at year on year, as it will allow the Maltese Basketball game to develop further and Maltese Basketball players to gain international exposure.

“This is not just an achievement for Starlites Naxxar Basketball Club, but an achievement for the Maltese Basketball community.”

Starlites Naxxar BC were drawn to face Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta as the draw of qualifying round of the FIBA Europe Cup were held yesterday in Munich.

For the Malta basketball men’s champions this will be their first taste of playing in a European competition and end a 32-year-wait since a Maltese club have taken part in a continental club competition.

The Regular Season will feature 40 teams split into 10 groups of four with 15 teams receiving direct berths, a further 14 clubs competing in the Qualifiers for seven guaranteed places and up to 18 teams arriving from the Basketball Champions League Qualification Rounds.

There are in total 19 clubs that have opted in from the BCL Qualifiers, of which a maximum of 18 will take part in the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season.

Although it’s going to be a tough challenge for Starlites in the qualifying round of the competition, however, the draw could have been much harder as the Naxxar side managed to avoid some top teams in European basketball such as Spanish giants Bilbao, Alba Fehervar, of Hungary, and JDA Bourgogne Dijon, of France.

Anorthosis have been playing in the Cypriot top-flight since 2021 and qualified for the league play-offs ever since. Last season they reached the Cypriot Cup final and placed third in the league.

Last season, they competed in the Euro Cup qualifying round where they faced Kormend, of Hungary, as well as Bney Herzilya, of Israel.

The two-legged tie will be played on September 24 at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion, with the return leg pencilled for September 27 in Famagusta.

In a statement, club president Dr Ivan Riolo said that Starlites were looking forward to the experience.

 “We are looking forward to face Anorthosis Famagusta next September for our Qualifying Game,” he said.

“The club has received significant support and interest locally following its announcement on Tuesday. This is a not just a first for the club, but something Maltese Basketball clubs should keep looking at year on year, as it will allow the Maltese Basketball game to develop further and Maltese Basketball players to gain international exposure.

“This is not just an achievement for Starlites Naxxar Basketball Club, but an achievement for the Maltese Basketball community.”